Downing Street is prepared to increase the rate of national insurance (NI) to pay for social care. Plans for a one per cent rise in NI contributions will be put before Cabinet on Tuesday, a day after MPs return to Westminster from the summer recess. Ministers will finalise the details on Monday, with officials keen to push the bill through the House of Commons before the party conference season.
The rate rise would mean around 25 million people paying extra tax. The Telegraph reports that  individuals are expected to pay as much as £80,000 over their lifetimes.